We will tell you how to choose the right used sewing machine. These tips are suitable even for those planning to buy a typewriter in the store. Although they give a guarantee for their equipment, if you buy a low-quality product, driving around service centers is a dubious pleasure, so it’s better to play it safe and choose a high-quality machine right away.
In our school, 20-30 percent of sewing equipment was acquired in this way. For six months we studied various sites, promotions in stores, and thus created the first classroom. When we manage to buy some kind of equipment twice cheaper than in stores, it’s great, but it’s important to understand why the seller decided to part with it…
The first and, unfortunately, the most common reason: I realized that sewing is not mine, so I decided to sell. I want to say right away – I did not try very much, because everyone can really learn, if there is a desire. The next common reason is an unnecessary gift, standing idle. Sometimes they are sold in connection with moving to another city or country. The most important reason for the sale, which you are unlikely to be informed about, is a malfunction of the equipment, there are few such cases, but it is better to be prepared for anything and just sewn picked out a couple of industrial models .
Tips For Buying A Used Sewing Machine
The first and very important tip: be sure to check the benefits of the offer. How much does the price offered by the seller differ from the price in stores? Sometimes the difference is one and a half to two thousand and the seller is very far away, how long will it take to move? How much value could you do in all these hours? Sometimes it will be more profitable not to go, but to buy a car in a store, moreover, a new one.
Before you go to view the seller, read the reviews. Unfortunately, positive reviews are written much less often than negative ones, but if the model has flaws, you will definitely find out about it. Your reviews can also help someone and save you from a bad purchase, so if possible, leave them.
Ask the salesperson about anything that worries or interests you. Why are you selling? How long have they been in operation? Did you like everything? Is everything included?
What Should be Included With a Sewing Machine?
- Two-three feet: standard, for invisible zipper and buttonhole
- The body of the sewing machine itself
- Pedal
- At least one sewing machine needle
What to Take With You to Check the Quality of the Stitch:
- A pair of spools of quality reinforced thread
- Three types of fabrics approximately 20 * 20 cm: cotton, something thin, for example, a viscose or polyester lining, something dense, for example, jeans or coat fabric.
- Pair of sewing machine needles # 90
- Flat screwdriver
It is advisable to check the machine yourself and take your time. Thread it with contrasting threads of the same thickness – this will help identify a potential problem. Fold the fabric in half and check how straight the machine stitches without you. Lower the needle and foot and sew without holding the fabric. If the line runs at an angle, it means that the machine has some kind of problem with the rail. This is found even in new sewing machines and you can live with it, but this is a reason to bargain for a thousand and a half.
Then check all types of stitches, pay attention to their evenness, whether the machine does not skip stitches. This problem happens if the needle is blunt – try changing it.
See how the machine will handle thin and dense materials. If necessary, change the needle and thread, change the tension (if the material is thin, it should be made smaller. To test how the machine handles thick materials, it is best to fold the fabric four times.
You should not buy equipment that makes extraneous noises: buzzing, grinding, tapping are bad signs. It happens that the machine makes 10 centimeters of a straight line, and then begins to hum, tear the threads, and a “beard” is obtained from the bottom of the fabric. This problem usually occurs when the bobbin thread is incorrectly threaded, for example, improperly positioned the bobbin.
If the line does not go and the machine hums, it is better not to wait until it starts tearing the threads, but immediately remove the fabric, carefully cutting the threads from the top and bottom. Restart the clipper, if that does not help, try changing the needle and thread – perhaps some of them are of poor quality. Sometimes the bobbin needs to be replaced. Carefulness will help solve the problem.
You can also take a master with you for viewing, usually it costs 500 – 1000 rubles. The amount is small, but you will be calm! Some sellers will not be ready for this and will offer to pick up the machine right away – do not agree.
Do not be afraid to bargain, as a rule, a thousand – one and a half can easily fold.
Do not come to view the seller alone, it does not matter whether the seller is a man or a woman, this is a stranger, so it is better to find a company to view. Do not take cash with you, finding an ATM is not a problem, there are online banks.
Buying a used sewing machine is usually beneficial. You can buy a practically new sewing machine, sometimes even under warranty. But sometimes it can be risky, so be careful, picky and careful! Happy shopping and see you soon.
